The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-19

nervous system, the greatly i'm peded functions
of respiration and circulation being the only
signs of life.
The attack usually com on in the afternoon,
partly because this is the hottest part Of the day.
and also because the subject has then generally
been laborine for many hours and his vital pow
are more less exhausted. The attack may
be Immediately attended by premonitory symp-
toms, such as a pain and sense of fullness in
the head. oppression at the pit of the stomach,
sometimes accom- panied by nausea and feeling
of weakness in the lower extremities. vertigo,
and a dimness of vision. Surrounding objects
appear of o uniform color. generally blue or pur-
pie, but sometimes red and at others green. In
light cases the insensibility may be momsntary.
but in severe ones the patient rapidly becomes
asphyxiated or comatose. The pupils OF the
eyes are sometimes dilated and sometimes
contracted. and there may be dila-
ton and contraction at different times in the
same case. There is considerable and often
very great increase in the temperature of the
body. 1t sometimes rises to 100 50 Fahrenheit,
and has been known to reach 1862. When it
reaches 1879 recovery 10 scarcely to be expected.
though it has occurred.
Vomiting during the unconscious period and
involuntary movements of the bowels are very
grave symptoms. When the patient is attacked
the eyes fixed and turned upward with .
CLASSY appearance. Sometimes the whole system
of voluntary muscles will appear be convused.
and more rarely the patient appears TO be in q
state analogous to somnambulism; but the more
fatal cases often entirely free from motion
OF the voluntary muscles.
The blood remains coagulated after death,
showing loss of life in its organic constituents.
There four different ways in which death
may take place:
/. The intense heat of the suns rays pouring
down upon the head, combined with great bodily
exertion, may produce q state similar to that of
nervous eoncussion from accident. aud death
may take place more or less suddenly by syn
cope.
2 When death does not quickly ensue, par
alysis of the respiratory nerves may induce pull
monary congestion, terminating in asphyxia, or
choking.
g. The cerebral or spinal may be much
greater than the pulmonary. or breathing. organ.
congestion and death ensue from coma, a state
resembling sleep
A. Partial recovery may occur, and the pa
tient die two three days afterward with blood
effusion within the head.
Rather more than half Of the cases of sun
stroke prove fatal. death sometimes occurring in
a few minutes, but generally few hours after
attack, the patient remaining in comatoee
state until the end of life
The treatment has been q matter of much dis
cussion among physicians, and for cases having
apoplectc comatose symptoms it is still.
Some contend vet for blood letting, while others
strongly oppose it, holding that it fatally
impairs the vital forces. The principal remedies
stimulation to the surface; bathing of the
body with tepid water containing AmmOnia and
carbonate of soda. and the application Of ice to
the spine and head.
The only preventive is to keep cool, and above
all things abstinence from the use of alcohol.
Whisky spirits bad, but the use of
beer is especially dangerous In fact, nine out
of every ten patients have been drinkers.